Integrated Units - Mathematics

Students discover how sound waves can be modeled mathematically. After a brief overview of the mechanics of sound, students learn that the graph of a sine function is a wave, much like a sound wave, so sound waves can be modeled using sine functions. Students investigate and compare quatdratic, exponential, logarithmic, and sine functions and the graphs that represent them. By experimenting with these equations, students understand how variables and constants affect the shapes of their graphs, and then apply what they have learned to generate tones that differ in pitch and volume.

Proportion is a central concept in the world of art and design. The relationship of parts to the whole is a primary concern in any design task, and artists and designers frequently manipulate proportion to create effects. In this unit, students explore head-to-body and facial feature proportions of humans and animated characters in order to understand the effect that proportion has on the viewer’s perception of a character’s personality.